Psalms Comfort from Sometimes We Hurt Sometimes We Get Discouraged Sometimes We Feel Lonely Sometimes Our Faith Gets Weak Sometime We Almost Quit Comfort from Psalms

Psalm 55 1 Give ear to my prayer, O God, And do not hide Yourself from my supplication. 2 Attend to me, and hear me; I am restless in my complaint, and moan noisily, 3 Because of the voice of the enemy, Because of the oppression of the wicked; For they bring down trouble upon me, And in wrath they hate me. 4 My heart is severely pained within me, And the terrors of death have fallen upon me. 5 Fearfulness and trembling have come upon me, And horror has overwhelmed me. 6 So I said, "Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.

Psalm 55 7 Indeed, I would wander far off, And remain in the wilderness. Selah 8 I would hasten my escape From the windy storm and tempest." 9 Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues, For I have seen violence and strife in the city. 10 Day and night they go around it on its walls; Iniquity and trouble are also in the midst of it. 11 Destruction is in its midst; Oppression and deceit do not depart from its streets. 12 For it is not an enemy who reproaches me; Then I could bear it. Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me; Then I could hide from him. 13 But it was you, a man my equal, My companion and my acquaintance

Psalm 55 14 We took sweet counsel together, And walked to the house of God in the throng. 15 Let death seize them; Let them go down alive into hell, For wickedness is in their dwellings and among them. 16 As for me, I will call upon God, And the LORD shall save me. 17 Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, And He shall hear my voice. 18 He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me, For there were many against me. 19 God will hear, and afflict them, Even He who abides from of old. Selah Because they do not change, Therefore they do not fear God. 20 He has put forth his hands against those who were at peace with him; He has broken his covenant

Psalm 55 21 The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, But war was in his heart; His words were softer than oil, Yet they were drawn swords. 22 Cast your burden on the LORD, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved. 23 But You, O God, shall bring them down to the pit of destruction; Bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; But I will trust in You.

Psalm 55 “Psalm of the Sore-Distressed” – Irving L. Jensen “An ode of the Oppressed” – W. Graham Scroggie Perhaps at time of Absalom’s rebellion & Ahithophel’s treachery (2 Sam. 15-18) A companion Psalm with 41

Psalm 55 Distress (vv. 1-8) Indignation (vv. 9-15) “Mingled emotions meet here, as they do in the experience of us all, and here, as always, they are determined by the occasion, and, incidentally, give us the main divisions of the Psalm.” (Scroggie) Distress (vv. 1-8) Indignation (vv. 9-15) Confidence (vv. 16-23) Thinking of Self Thinking of Foe Thinking of God “It is well that the thought does not move in the opposite direction” (WGS)

Frustration Turns to Trust Psalm 55

Frustration Turns to Trust A Frustrated Heart (vv. 1-8)

A Frustrated Heart (vv. 1-8) Learn: There will be trouble Condition - How he Felt (vv. 1-5) Restless (v. 2) Oppressed (v. 3a) Hated (v. 3b) Heartache (v. 4) Fearful (v. 5) Learn: There will be trouble May be caused by us May be caused by our disloyalty May be caused by our loyalty May be caused by others

A Frustrated Heart (vv. 1-8) Careful Not to “Give In” Condition - How he Felt (vv. 1-5) Thoughts – What he wanted to do (vv. 6-8) Fly away (v. 6) Wander far off (v. 7) Escape (v. 8) Careful Not to “Give In” Running is easy – but rarely is wise Don’t need a change in circumstance – but a change in attitude Security is seldom found in solitude “The fleeing dove may light on a thorn” (WGS)

Frustration Turns to Trust A Frustrated Heart (vv. 1-8) A Wicked Friend (vv. 9-15)

A Wicked Friend (vv. 9-15) Wicked world around (vv. 9-11) A Friend Betrayed (vv. 12-14) Better if it were not a “friend” (vv. 12-13) Were at one time close & united (v. 14) Characteristics (vv. 20-21) Unprovoked (v. 20a) Word means nothing (v. 20b) Hypocrite (v.21a) Danger (v. 21b) Refuse to change – for without fear (v. 19)

Wounds of a “Friend” Hurt Most A Wicked Friend (vv. 9-15) Wicked world around (vv. 9-11) A Friend Betrayed (vv. 12-14) Same End of All Wicked (v. 15) Wounds of a “Friend” Hurt Most “A formerly trusted friend” (H. C. Leupold) “We have here a description of a hot friend grown cold” (H. C. Leupold)

Frustration Turns to Trust A Frustrated Heart (vv. 1-8) A Wicked Friend (vv. 9-15) A Resolve in God (vv. 16-23)

Turn our Complaints to God A Resolve in God (vv. 16-23) Resolve to pray (vv. 16-19a) Rather than seek revenge (v. 16) Continue constant praying (v. 17) Confident that God will hear (vv. 16, 17, 19) Cast burden on God (v. 22) Turn our Complaints to God Problems should drive us to God – not away “Difficulties are instruments of discipline” (Scroggie) Prayer will sustain a troubled heart

A Resolve in God (vv. 16-23) Resolve to pray (vv. 16-19a) Resolve to trust (vv. 19b-23) Trust he will punish wicked (vv. 19, 23) Trust he will sustain & bless righteous (v. 22)

Thought About Flying Away Change Thought About Flying Away To Fly to God Is Better 6 So I said, "Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. 7 Indeed, I would wander far off, And remain in the wilderness. Selah 8 I would hasten my escape From the windy storm and tempest." Change 22 Cast your burden on the LORD, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.

Frustration Turns to Trust A Frustrated Heart (vv. 1-8) A Wicked Friend (vv. 9-15) A Resolve in God (vv. 16-23)